The Dying Gaul Sculpture- The Notre Dame Cathedral Reconstruction

Are You into Sculpture? If so, Continue Reading! 

The Dying Gaul captures a warrior in his final moments, his face twisted in agony as he succumbs to a fatal chest wound. This poignant image of a defeated foe exemplifies bravery in the face of death, serene acceptance, and a recognition of nobility in a foreign race. Believed to have been commissioned between 230 and 220 BC by Attalus I of Pergamon to commemorate his triumph over the Galatians, a Celtic people of Anatolia, the sculpture immortalizes a profound moment in history. The version displayed in the museum is a replica of a lost masterpiece from the Hellenistic period (323–31 BC), preserving the legacy of this powerful and moving work.

The Dying Gaul (

Il Galata morentA  Roman copy after a sculpture situated in the Pergamon Acropolis. Photo: DEA / G. NIMATALLAH/Getty Images

Dying Gaul is a world masterpiece. A once-in-a-lifetime loan from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, the 2,000-year-old sculpture ispart of the Met’s luminescent exhibition of more than 250 incredible objects of Hellenistic art, “Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World.” It is a slightly larger than life-sized marble sculpture of a partially naked man on the ground — apparently felled here, supporting himself with one arm, the other resting weakly on an outstretched leg. The hand on the ground is atop a broken sword; his head is bent downward to the point where we can’t really see his face at all. He is bleeding from a large chest wound, dying. 

In 1737, Pope Clement XII acquired the work for the Capitoline Museum (now it is sometimes called the Capitoline Gaul), Rome, Italy. After Napoleon's victory over the Papal States in 1797, the Dying Gaul had a brief interlude in Paris. It was returned to the Capitoline Museum in 1816, and remains there today

For Details visit:

https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/dying-gaul-is-a-world-masterpiece-about-death.html

Meanwhile enjoy this photo in my apartment-my Picture of the Day featuring my small "David" sculpture. 

Here's a list of the top 20 famous sculptures of all time.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/art/top-famous-sculptures-of-all-time

Lastly, here are some stunning photos of the Notre Dame Cathedral after Reconstruction posted in the Web just recently.

First Mass is scheduled for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. If my knees were a little stronger, I will have no hesitation in flying there just for the day to attend that mass. For additional photos and details visit: 

https://www.cnn.com/style/live-news/macron-notre-dame-paris-reopening-11-29-24-intl/index.html

My Youngest Grand Daughter- Carenna Katague Thompson

Carenna and Me at my other grand Daughter( Alix Katague) Wedding, Berkeley, CA 2023

I received the following E-mail from my youngest grand daughter( Carenna Katague Thompson) yesterday (Thanksgiving Day) giving an update of her current life and also asking for donation for her favorite Charity-Camp Kesem. 

I have six grand children, and all have finished Bachelor's degrees except Carenna. My other grand daughter Marina Katague is currently in her second year of her Doctorate( PhD) Degree in Public Health. My other four grand children have finished college ( Bachelor's Degrees) and working.

Carenna is the daughter of my youngest daughter, Ditas Katague. Ditas a Presidential Appointee in the Bureau of Census will lost her job when Trump takes over as President of the US next year.

Here's Carenna E-mail to me, including her plea for Donation for Camp Kesem💚.

I’m a junior at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. double majoring in International Affairs and Geography, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. In January, I will be studying abroad in Paris to advance my French language skills. Additionally, I was selected for a competitive research program at my university called Dean’s Scholars where I am designing my own research. I will return to Belfast, Northern Ireland (my first study abroad) to research the lives of immigrants to post-conflict spaces. My mom, Leif (our dog), and I live right outside of DC in Alexandria, VA (for now). 

Camp Kesem provides a free summer camp for kids whose parents have been affected by cancer. Nationally, 1 in 14 children, around 5 million are dealing with a parents cancer. I went to camp for 10 years, joining 3 months after my dad passed away from colon cancer. 

Hosted by universities, Kesem is completely student run and led. Which means, yes, a bunch of college kids are responsible for putting on a camp and fundraising for it. This year I am the Operations Coordinator for Kesem at George Washington University. This means I am responsible for planning, organizing, and running camp this year. I spend most of my free time in meetings, cleaning storage units, and of course planning the best activities for an amazing camp program! It has been so enriching for me to use my knowledge from my 10 years at camp to ensure that the children I am now serving have the same magic experience I did. That being said one of the most important things to making camp possible for these kids is…FUNDRAISING!!! 

This year we need to raise $100,000 in order to make camp happen. Our goal for Giving Tuesday is to raise $20,000 of that $100,000. If we do not meet this goal we will not be able to provide buses for the 115 families we serve and would require them to find their own transportation to camp. Our chapter serves the DC, Maryland, Virginia area (DMV) and more than 50% of our families said they would not be able to attend camp without transportation. 

So, I am asking you, to find the goodness in your heart (noting that Kesem is a 501(c)3 and any donation of any amount is tax deductible!!) and donate to Kesem at GW. ANYTHING helps no matter the amount. 

For direct donations you can donate to my Classy Page. (make sure it is to Carenna (Taro) Thompson and for George Washington University) OR

If you would like to donate via an In-Kind donation check out our Amazon Wishlist for camp and program supplies! 

All of my love,

Carenna Katague-Thompson

💚https://www.kesem.org/

Personal Note: I am very proud of your accomplishments Carenna and I donated! Keep up with your good work and see you soon on my 90th birthday.  I also survived the first Thanksgiving Day ( after 64 years of celebrating the Day with Relatives) of being alone.

 I spent the day, watching the Macy Parade, cleaning one of my closets and searching for ideas for my daily blogs. I also binged on old Apple TV series, Slow Horses, Bad Monkey and Shrinking.  I also had a gastronomically satisfying lunch of Pork Sinigang ( Best Tasting Soup in the World by Taste Atlas, 2024), steamed rice and Spicy Pork Short Ribs in Black Bean Sauce. 

I have also had a call from Daughter Dinah in Portland, Oregon visiting her daughter Elaine and Husband, Kyle Bishop. I also had a call from Ditas. I also have a 💗FB message from Carenna that she and her Mom are with Ella Lazarte, Ditas first cousin on her Mother's side of the Family.  I have several Thanksgiving Greetings via E-mail from other relatives and friends, So I really did not feel alone.        💗Carenna and Ditas with Ella-Thanksgiving Day-11-28-24

The David B Katague Clan has a history of charitable work( medical missions and personal donations).  I am reposting my two articles on my Donations.  The first article, I titled  "It is better to Give Than Receive".  The second article is  my donation ( $10K) to the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Library Fund.

1. https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/05/it-is-better-to-give-than-to-receive.html

2. https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/10/my-donation-to-upv-library-fund-in.html

I hope you had ALL a Fantastic Thanksgiving Day with Relatives or Being Alone!

Thanksgiving Day, 2024

Today, Thanksgiving, Newtons Restaurant is closed. However, THD celebrated our Thanksgiving Dinner, yesterday, Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024. A special Menu was printed as follows:

I had the roasted turkey with all the trimmings, butternut squash soup and the Persimmon-Pomegranate Salad and Pecan Pie for dessert. I had also Heineken Beer and Green Tea.

This is a half-order of my Turkey Dinner and the Salad as well. 

The David B Katague Clan celebrated their first Thanksgiving in the US in 1960💚. So today is the 64th times I am celebrating this Day of Gratitude. For me, this day is just time for gratitude not togetherness since I will be celebrating it alone. My 2 children and their families in the Area are out of town.  Ditas and Carenna resides in Alexandria, Va.

Last year I wrote in my blog the following article celebrating my first Thanksgiving Day Here at THD. I hope you read it.

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-day-time-for-gratitude-and.html

THANKs to all my blog readers all over the world. Special thanks to My fellow THD residents who have been frequently commenting on my blogs, John Larimore, Dean Elias, Phil Paris, Andy Shafer, Jane Williams and Richard and Linda Botton.  

Thanks also to several other THD residents who had verbally commented on my blogs. There are a number of you, so my apology for not mentioning you specifically, but my heart is filled with gratitude for telling me you are enjoying my blogs and read it everyday.

Thanks to All the Newton's Server's and Kitchen Crew and HouseKeeping Staff. Also thanks to the Concierges ( Front Desk), Transportation Services and the Activities Section Employees of THD. Special Thanks to the employee that followed up my suggestion to have Lumpia served during one of our Friday, Cocktail/Happy Hour.

Meanwhile, Let us all be Grateful: and here's my Thanksgivings quote!

"There are those who want a swimming pool in the house, while those who have one barely use it. Those who have lost a loved one feel a deep sense of loss, while others who hold them close often complain about them. Those who do not have a partner yearn for him, but those who have, sometimes do not value him. 

The hungry would give anything for a plate of food, while the well-fed complains about the taste. The one who doesn't have a car dreams, while the one who has one is always looking for a better one. The key is to be grateful, look carefully at what we have and understand that somewhere, someone would give everything for what you already have and don't appreciate.”-Hiroyuki Sanada

Here's a photo of our First Thanksgiving Dinner in the US 

💚Our First Thanksgiving Day Dinner in the US, Danville, Illinois, 1960,  

Here's my thanksgiving articles the last two years( 2021 and 2022).

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/11/two-young-cats-and-old-dude-wish-you.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/11/this-year-thanksgiving-celebration-what.html

Lastly,  At Our Meal time Conversation - Thanksgiving-Eve Dinner Yesterday 

Resident #1: So are you celebrating Thanksgiving day tomorrow by going to Church?

Me: I am attending Thanksgiving mass on Television

Resident #2: I have no church affiliation, because I am a heathen

Resident # 3: This should end all conversations about church services

Me: Amen, Amen, Amen! 

And we all laugh and change the topic of conversations to Trump Cabinet appointments-   Another non-topic for meal time conversation.

Remember, topics one should avoid talking during meal times are sex, religion and politics.       

Batman and Robin Cat Door

Batman with his yellow magnet collar

Robin with his blue magnet collar 

Batman and Robin have their own cat door now.  There were several brands commercially available, but I selected PetSafe brand because it had better customer reviews than similar brand available. R & R Handyman Services installed it and hopefully it will work.

PetSafe Microchip Cat Door, Exterior or Interior Pet Door - Multi-User RFID Access Up to 40 Pets, 4-Way Locking, Weatherproof

Here's the ad of the Cat Door from Amazon.  

• YOUR CAT IS THE KEY: This door reads your cat’s unique 15-digit microchip ID and only allows access to programmed pets; programmable collar keys are sold separately for cats without a microchip 
• KEEP OUT UNWANTED GUESTS: Give exclusive access to your cat (and up to 39 other programmed pets) while keeping unwanted animals (like the neighborhood squirrel) from wandering inside 
• FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE: When you’re stuck late at work (or just sleeping in on a Saturday), your cat will still have the freedom to let herself in and out of the house 
• 4 LOCKING OPTIONS: The manual 4-way lock lets you keep your kitty safe and secure; set the door to ‘Locked’, ‘Unlocked’, ‘Enter Only’ or Exit Only 
• KEEP WEATHER AND STRAYS OUT: Two magnetic latches are designed to keep out unwanted guests and prying paws, while built-in weather stripping reduces drafts from creeping indoors 
• EASY INSTALLATION: Fits most wood, PVC and uPVC doors, but metal, glass, brick and wall installation will require additional accessories (sold separately) 
• U.S.-BASED CUSTOMER CARE: Our pet product experts are here to help you and your pet and are available by phone, email or chat if you have any questions 
• QUALITY PROMISE: PetSafe brand has been a trusted global leader in pet behavior, containment and lifestyle innovations since 1998 to help keep your pet healthy, safe and happy 

The Finished installed Cat Door- Magnetic Operation

 Lastly, Did you Know?  

The Philippines is renowned for producing some of the world’s most beautiful pyrope garnets, a deep red variety of the gemstone that many people instantly recognize. These garnets, prized for their rich, fiery color, are often considered the classic garnet, symbolizing passion and energy.

Found in areas like Benguet and Antique, these stunning red gems have long been valued not only for their beauty but also for their cultural significance. The pyrope garnet’s intense hue has made it a sought-after gem in Filipino jewelry, showcasing the natural richness of the country’s mineral resources.

Have A Great Day Every One! Be Kind to One Another!

The Magnificent Paintings of John Martin

Do you Love Paintings? I do! Here are some of John Martin paintings for your viewing pleasure.

Which work by John Martin (1789-1854) is your favorite? Repost from @tripimprover

1) Seventh Plague of Egypt (1823)

2) The Fall of Babylon (1831)

3) Pandemonium (1841)

4) Belshazzar’s Feast (1820)

5) The Last Judgment (1853)

6) Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still upon Gibeon (1816)

7) The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum (c. 1821)

The Plains of Heaven (c. 1851)

9) The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (1852)

10) The Great Day of His Wrath (1851-1853)

John Martin was a unique British artist who combined vast landscapes, intriguing narratives, impressive architecture, and most of all, lots of drama. In complete contrast to his humble beginnings as a young kid, when he lived with his parents and siblings in a single room house, Martin had slowly worked himself up from a drawing teacher to an artist who was not afraid to develop his own unique style, which can be labeled with words like ‘grand,’ ‘dramatic,’ and ‘spectacular.’

He applied his style to many of the disasters described in the bible, and those that the bible predicted to come in the future.

Meanwhile Here's My Photo of the Day

Miko (pet dog) and Me, Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines, 2013

Lastly, Did you know Glass Beach is located in Fort Bragg, California, on the west coast of the United States. It's famous for its multicolored glass pebbles, the result of decades of use as a landfill in the mid-20th century. Over time, the waves eroded the glass, turning it into small, rounded, shiny stones. Nowadays, it is a popular tourist attraction, although glass collecting is prohibited to preserve the environment.

A funny fact about the Glass Beach is that, although today it looks like a natural work of art, it was originally a dumpster where bottles to appliances were thrown away. Starting in the 1960s, clean-up efforts began, and nature did the rest: waves transformed glass scraps into polished pieces, creating the unique landscape we see today.

Credits: Curiosidades